SPI 997 SLEDGEHAMMER 1000 hp Porsche Conversion Package

By Thami Masemola
January 9, 2009 12:05 AM
Filed Under: German, Porsche, Tuners

Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI) of Ohio, USA, is a renowned tuner of Porsche products, specifically for the Porsche 996 and 997 models. At some point SPI, through owner Tym Switzer wondered what the limits of a tuned 997 would be, how much horsepower a stock engine could take.

Soon SPI was working on this ‘experiment' and the results are here for all to see. The car aptly named the SLEDGEHAMMER makes over 850 all-wheel horsepower running on racing fuel. That translates to over 1000hp at the crank. The figures were produced from a 997 twin turbo engine through extensive ECU tuning, the use of SPI-developed headers, a sports exhaust system, an intercooler package and SPI-tuned GT30R turbos. Every part of the system was constantly metered and tested by SPI during development.

On tar the SLEDGEHAMMER creates something close to what would be considered magical numbers. The 0 - 60mph time is consistently in the mid-2 seconds, and its massive tractability is shown by a 60 - 130mph time of less than 5 seconds. The quarter mile is trashed in 9.796 seconds and 195mph was almost achieved at the Texas mile, an abandoned air strip in Texas.

Any interested party can purchase himself a SLEDGEHAMMER package for US$49,990 through SPI's website. If that is a bit out of reach at least check out the video showing the fourth and final quarter mile attempt as well as a whistling dyno run here.

 

Source: switzerperformanceinnovation.com

Press Release (Click to expand)

Oberlin, OH - 07JAN2009 - Switzer Announces SLEDGEHAMMER 1000 hp Porsche Conversion Package

Tym Switzer has been quietly running Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI) in Oberlin, Ohio for several years, building show-quality exhausts and bolt-on performance products for twin-turbo Porsche 996 and 997 models.

With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to test the limits of what would be possible with stock 997 internals. "When the customer first came to me with his 997, we talked a lot about about pushing the limits the new engine and what might be possible using stock internals. I had already been inside the 997 turbo engines, and felt that 700 wheel horsepower seemed well within reach on pump fuel, and that we might be able to go a bit further."

That "bit further" eventually led to what Switzer calls the SLEDGEHAMMER. Named after candid comment from an SPI tech, the SLEDGEHAMMER is a bolt-on performance package for 997 twin-turbo Porsches that delivers over 850 all-wheel horsepower on race fuel. That's over 1000 hp at the crank!

Getting Bugatti-baiting performance figures from a bolt-on prepared 997 is no easy task, though. Switzer explains he and his crew "have always prided ourselves on attention to detail and delivering exactly what we promise to our customers. We have a saying around here: performance, not excuses. So during the original SLEDGEHAMMER build we looked at every part of the system, constantly metering and testing every component, on our in-house chassis dyno."

A finished Switzer SLEDGEHAMMER is certainly an amazing car. Switzer reports that (despite backing off the throttle early) the first SLEDGEHAMMER (pictured) went almost 195 mph at the Texas mile. Additional performance figures read like the stuff of legend: consistent 0-60 times in the mid 2's, less than 5 seconds to go from 60-130 mph, and 9.8-second quarter mile elapsed times with trap speeds regularly in excess of 145 mph. "With performance like that, these cars really speak for themselves - I have another one on the dyno now, and expect to post the results of those runs shortly."

In addition to extensive ECU tuning, the SLEDGEHAMMER package includes SPI's in-house developed headers and sport exhaust, as well as SPI's MONSTER intercooler package (shown) and SPI-massaged GT30R turbos. More details on Switzer's SLEDGEHAMMER conversion can be found on SPI's website. The SLEDGEHAMMER package retails for 49990USD, and is available through SPI. Contact SPI for more information.

 

Comments

_M7_
January 9, 2009 2:10 AM
ohhhhh SHI**** jajajaj COOOLLLL :)

mortz
January 9, 2009 2:43 AM
Nice, looks pretty standard too.

catchmyshadow
January 9, 2009 2:58 AM
nice figures, but i wonder how long the engine will last. not very long imho...

Meeshka
January 9, 2009 3:13 AM
Very nice. the chassis and suspension definitely wouldn't make this a track car, other than drag of course.

Schizo0223
January 9, 2009 3:33 AM
This comment may not be in tune with the economic conditions...but if that cost includes labor, then it sounds like a relative bargain for the increase in performance. I wonder how much the brake upgrade to control all this power would be though.

dbehmoaras
January 9, 2009 3:37 AM
a relative bargain is a massive understatement...its f-in steal!!!

tootall
January 9, 2009 4:55 AM
It's nice and all, but not very impressive. The people at RUF, Cargraphic and a few other tuners out there have obtained numbers like these (and then some)for quite some time now.

Bristol411S3
January 9, 2009 1:54 PM
What's with the gaffer taped number on the door? If that is indicative of the level of professionalism with which this upgrade is performed than it explains the cost...

mortz
January 10, 2009 5:48 AM
Mind you ive seen a r34 gt-r with 1700hp do the 1/4mile in 7.57sec at over 300km/h

radmeister
January 11, 2009 9:14 AM
Yeah what's ur point i have seen 5000hp top fuel chargers do it in mid 5s. The point is this thing did it with stock internals, u will never see a 1000hp GT-R with 1000hp on a stock engine, secondly you will never see a stock nissan tranny hold 1000hp, the one in the nissan 350Z holds 550hp at the flywheel more than that and it explodes.

mortz
January 13, 2009 8:11 AM
My point was for all wheel drive street legal

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